Coconut Oil and Weight Loss (Boost Fat-Burning by 50%!)

For many years, coconut oil was vilified for its fat content. Still today, when some people hear coconut, they think “fat, fat, fat.” But what you should think is “thin, thin, thin!”

The fat from coconut is different than most fats. In fact, because of their small molecular size, the medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in coconut yield 25% fewer calories per gram than most other fats.

But this only taps the shell of the coconut story…

What is even more important is that the fat in coconut oil is digested and metabolized differently than other fats. It can even help you lose weight.

When you eat fat, it is broken down into smaller molecules called lipoproteins. If you are not eating enough food to meet your body’s needs, these globules of fat and protein will be used right away for energy.

However, most of us eat more than enough. That means that these lipoproteins are almost always shuttled from the bloodstream straight into our fat cells, where they are stored. As they accumulate, they cause your fat cells to grow… and grow… and grow.

But the fats from coconut are different. They don’t get bundled into lipoproteins, seeking out a fat cell to make fatter. Instead, they go straight to the liver where they are used for energy – right then and there!

That means you can eat much more coconut oil than you can other oils… without the same fat-storing consequences.

But coconut oil doesn’t just get burned faster than other fats… it also helps you burn more calories!

Coconut Oil and Weight Loss: Torch Through More Calories with Coconut

Certain foods ratchet your metabolism into high gear. They help you burn more calories and increase your level of energy. The best known of these thermogenic (or fat burning) foods is protein. That’s one reason why high-protein diets promote weight loss.

But coconut oil has a similar calorie-torching power. Not only are the the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) found in coconut easily absorbed and rapidly converted to energy… they also help your body blaze through slower-burning long chain triglyerides (LCTs) as well.

Dr. Julian Whitaker notes:

“LCTs are like heavy wet logs that you put on a small campfire. Keep adding the logs, and soon you have more logs than fire. MCTs are like rolled up newspaper soaked in gasoline. They not only burn brightly, but will burn up the wet logs as well.”

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition compared the fat burning effect of a high-calorie diet containing 40% medium chain fatty acids to one containing 40% long chain fatty acids. The researchers found that the thermogenic effect of the MCFAs were almost twice as high as the LCFAs.

They were so astounded that they conducted a follow-up study. In that study, they discovered that MCFAs given over a six-day period can increase diet-induced fat burning by 50 percent!

Use coconut milk instead of dairy (delicious in savory sauces, desserts and in coffee)

Add flaked coconut to seeds, nuts and hemp for a grain-free granola

Enjoy coconut butter (learn how to make it below!) on a sweet potato, celery sticks or apple slices… or right off the spoon!

When it comes to creating a lean physique and a disease-free life, enjoying a protein-rich, low glycemic diet that’s rich in healthy fats is key. Add coconut products to your kitchen to create satisfying meals with fabulous flavor… and metabolism-boosting power to boot!

Homemade Coconut Butter

Do you love coconut butter… but don’t want to “shell out” $11 for a small jar? If you have 5 minutes and a high powered blender, you can make it yourself!

In a food processor or high powered blender (Vitamix) add the coconut.

Process or blend until the coconut is creamy (about 3-5 minutes in a Vitamix, 6-10 minutes in a food processor)

Scrape the bottom and sides and continue to process for another 1-2 minutes until fully blended.

Store in a sealed jar, in a cool cabinet.

Note: It is important to use a full bag of coconut. If you don’t have enough coconut in the blender, it will not blend smoothly. To aid in the processing, add a small amount of coconut oil to the blender.

Kelley Herring, founder of Healing Gourmet, is a natural nutrition enthusiast with a background in biochemistry. Her passion is educating on how foods promote health and protect against disease and creating simple and delicious recipes for vibrant health and enjoyment.

Kelley Herring, founder of Healing Gourmet, is a natural nutrition enthusiast with a background in biochemistry. Her passion is educating on how foods promote health and protect against disease and creating simple and delicious recipes for vibrant health and enjoyment.